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Newcastle United signed Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa for an initial £39million.
A boyhood Villa fan, Ramsey progressed through the club’s academy system and went on to make 167 senior appearances before joining Newcastle for an initial £39million in the summer.
His sale angered sections of the Villa dressing room, with captain John McGinn publicly taking aim at the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Tyrone Mings also cryptically wrote, “you don’t know the half.”
Like Villa, Newcastle were forced to sell Elliot Anderson last year, with the “pure profit” generated from the sale of academy graduate helping them to comply with PSR and avoid an inevitable points deduction.
Aston Villa director opens up on Jacob Ramsey’s move to Newcastle United
Senior officials at Villa had refrained from commenting on Ramsey’s unpopular exit, until now.
And interestingly, Vidagany made no mention of PSR and seemingly admitted that Ramsey’s sale was the right decision following failed attempts to tie the midfielder down to a new contract.
Vidagany told BBC West Midlands: “It was very sad that Jacob departed because Jacob represented the dream of every Birmingham neighbourhood. But there are two things.
“We sold Jacob Ramsey because it was a great offer from Newcastle. Second thing was Jacob Ramsey finishing his contract in 2027. And we didn’t get any agreement to extend the contract.
“For one year, we tried. But what is true, when a player is not extending, you have two ways. Let him terminate the contract and finish it and go for free or for lower money.
“Or, if you don’t extend him, sell him at the best price. We didn’t get an agreement, so sometimes when it happens that we can not get an agreement, the best deal is to sell at the best price.”
What Aston Villa players said about Jacob Ramsey’s exit
In the days after Ramsey’s departure, McGinn wrote on Instagram: “A perfect example of how an academy player should handle the transition to the first-team. Always humble, respectful and willing to learn. It’s been a privilege to share the dressing room with you and enjoy some special moments together on the pitch.
“A sad day losing a top player and person and one of our own but it seems to be the way football is set up these days! All the best JJ @jacobramseyy 💜”
Mings added: “Don’t wanna hear any bad words or anything negative on his name. You don’t know the half. Til the bitter end lil bro. Go and smash it @jacobramseyy”.
Jacob Ramsey’s start to life at Newcastle United
Ramsey has been restricted to just six appearances since arriving from Villa after an ankle injury during the goalless draw at Leeds United on August 30 ruled him out of seven matches.
The 24-year-old has remained fit since the October international break, starting in cup wins over Benfica and Tottenham Hotspur and appearing as a substitute in Premier League away defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United.
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